[2] His ancestors were natives of Essex, among the staunchest of Puritan families, who went to Leiden, Holland, before landing at Plymouth Rock in 1623 with one of the first parties of colonists following the Mayflower.
[3] The family grew wealthy and rose to prominence, holding high civil and military positions during the American Revolutionary War.
[3] At age fourteen, Babcock moved to New York City and began working as a bank messenger.
[3] His business partners in property development ventures included William W. Woodworth and Henry L. Atherton.
Babcock died on September 14, 1902, at the Livingstone Cottage, his long-time summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts.